Seedless fig tree `Janice`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of the common fig tree, Ficus carica, characterized by producing large, sweet, light green fruits that do not contain brittle endocarps.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW TREE

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of fig tree,Ficus carica. This new and distinct variety was found by the inventor ina cultivated area in San Luis Rey, Calif., which tree came from a sportbranch or limb from a regular Kadota fig tree in Santa Ana, Calif. Theinventor obtained hardwood cuttings from this tree in San Luis Rey andpropagated them asexually in Fremont, Calif.

The most significant feature of this new and distinct variety is thatthe fruits of this tree have no brittle endocarps, thereby differingfrom the usual seeded fruits of the commercial fig varieties. This newand distinct variety has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristic (minus brittle endocarps) through successivepropagations. The fruits of this new and distinct variety have beennamed "Janice" Kadota figs by the inventor.

Another clear characteristic which is not inherent in other figvarieties is the productivity of this fig tree without endocarps. Thetree bears fruit heavily each year. Crops are borned later in the seasonthen for most commercial fig varieties. A first crop matures aboutAugust first, a second, about September first, a third the heaviest,about October first, and later crops mature until the first frost. Inaddition, the ostiole is smaller because it is very tight while thefruit itself is larger than its species of origin. In fact, the fruit ofthis new and distinct variety measure about 21/4 inches in diameter ascompared to a diameter of slightly under 2" in diameter for fruit fromthe source.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing various aspects of the new figtree.

The top left shows a yearling branch.

The top middle and right show the end of a branch with the front andback side of a leaf.

The lower middle and right show a whole flat leaf.

The middle and lower left contain 3 pictures of the fruit, and the leftmiddle shows the fruit cut in half to indicate a lack of brittleendocarps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW TREE

The following description was developed from fruit and plant materialtaken from young trees of the new variety growing at Fremont, Calif.Color references are from "Dictionary of Color" by Maerz and Paul, firstedition published in 1930.

Fruit

Form.--The fruit body is spherical with usually a short neck present. Amoderate percentage of fruit have no neck present at all.

Size.--Medium to large in size. Fruit width ranges from 50 to 58 mm indiameter and from 48 to 60 mm in length not including the peduncle.

Neck.--Most often the neck is short and tapered, but occasionally almostno neck is present at all. Neck coloration is in the same color rangesas the general skin color.

Peduncle.--Medium in length and slightly curved. Length ranges from 11to 17 mm. The peduncle is moderately thick from 4.0 to 5.0 mm. Pedunclecolor ranges from a medium green (19-L-7) to a lighter green-yellow(18-K-3). Peduncle bracts are low, relatively small and slightlyappressed to the fruit.

Skin.--The skin adheres to the meat over the ostiole end of the fruitbut can be readily peeled back from the stem end. The skin is glossy andthe external skin color at full maturity is a yellow-green (18-L-2Citronella Green) to a more green-yellow (18-K-6) on less mature fruit.Skin texture is firm and slightly rubbery. Moderate longitudinal skinchecking is present on the ripest fruit. A relatively delicate greybloom is present over the skin surface. Short and sparse epidermal hairsare present throughout the skin surface. Numerous white flecks are alsopresent over the skin surface, from nearly globose to oval in form, withthe most elongated flecks present near the ostiole end of the fruit.

Fig interior.--The meat of the Janice fig lying between the skin and thepulp is most frequently white (1-A-1). The pulp which makes up theremainder of the interior of the fig fruit (the inner part of the meatand the floral parts) is usually amber-yellow in color (11-K-4 GlintO'Gold) when fully mature. The pulp fills the entire center of the figand is relatively fine textured. The interior surfaces are lined withlong styled pistillate flowers. A few scattered infertile seeds arepresent in the fruit of the Janice fig. These seeds are greatly reducedin number in comparison with the typical Kadota variety. The seeds arevery small and tan in color (11-K-6 Rattan).

Flavor.--The Janice fig is very sweet and mild flavored with goodquality.

Use.--The principal use of this fig is for fresh market.

LEAF AND TREE DESCRIPTION

Leaves:

Form.--Base calcarate, most frequently five lobed although somevariation is present. The lobes are latate in form.

Leaf

Size.--Leaf measurements are taken from large leaves on relatively youngtrees. Leaf size is large. Leaf length is variable from 20.9 to 25.1 cmfrom the leaf apex to the petiolar junction. Leaf width ranges from23.2. to 24.6. cm.

Sinuses.--Upper sinuses are relatively deep and "U" shaped. The petiolarsinus is relatively shallow and "V" shaped.

Margins.--Much variability exists, but the margins can generally becharacterized as irregularly crenate.

Color.--Upper leaf surface a deep green (24-J-8). The main veins are avery light green (18-I-4). Lower leaf surfaces are a lighter grey-green(21-H-6). Lower vein color is also a pale green (17-I-3). Leaf surfacerather dull with low light refraction.

Petiole.--Medium in length from 6.9 to 8.4 cm. Petiole color variablefrom a light olive green (14-K-1) to a lighter green-yellow (20-I-1).

Trunk: Relatively smooth in texture with average diameter. Bark color amedium grey (6-A-7).

Branches: Mature branches smooth with average diameter. Branch colorvaries from a deep green-brown (16-C-7) to medium brown (15-L-12 rawUmber). Immature current season's growth a medium green (22-L-8). Smalllight colored lenticels are often apparent on the young shoots.

Buds: The terminal buds are conical in shape with a relatively acutelip. Terminal bud color is a light green (20-L-6). Bud scales oftenbecome brownish as they separate and slough off of the expandingmeristem. Fruit buds are more rounded in shape at their apex and areapproximately the same color as the terminal bud.

Tree form: Existing trees of the Janice variety are relatively young atthis date but appear so far to be upright to upright-spreading in theirgrowth habit.

Summary: The above described Janice fig can be characterized as a highquality, green skinned fig of the common type, suited for use as a freshmarket fig. The fig is similar to the Kadota fig variety from which itoriginates, in most characteristics of the tree, leaves and fruit. Thesingle most distinctive difference between the Janice and the Kadota isthe substantial reduction in the number of seeds produced inside theJanice fig in comparison with the Kadota.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinctive variety of fig tree substantially asdescribed and characterized particularly by a lack of brittle endocarpswithin the fruit.